Architectural Salvage of San Diego

This guy, and you know who you are. You truely need to wake up. People come here to see the store because we hope we will fine somethings amazing a or different. You have some good items. But sir, you have got to do better about your manners, and your customer service.
Please take a class.
You just might learn something. If you don’t want to be there leave take a vacation. You belong in the back room. Please keep the store open and hire someone who Wil help the customer and who know about vintage& antiques. Hire someone that want to be in the store.
Because you sir clearly do not.
I hand never been treated so rudely, by anyone before.

Heaven!!! We left with two doorknob plates, a small stained glass window, and a linen grain sack. Friendly staff and great treasure hunting!

Enrique! Thanks for fixing my broken heart err broken Art Deco ceiling light!
Always find what I want AND need here. Great selection, excellent service,
surreal atmosphere-​BIG ol’ noisy jet fly overs, chill and tribal music, hot cider.
Plus it’s so great to see all the young hipsters appreciate the ironically curated finds.

Hey everybody, I work here at Architectural salvage and we did have a fire next door, but WE ARE NOW OPEN! We were out for 5 weeks with out power but we’re open. Now we have another shipping container coming in December from Europe. Lots of barn doors in this shipment. So come see me yall. Thanks Max

This place is interesting. There are definitely lots of cool things here, but you have to like to dig a little bit. Prices are probably good for what you’re getting, but everything I’ve liked has been outside my price range. It’s a fun place to explore, though.

I came here today to pick up some cased windows and maybe some scrap wood pieces. I was prepared to buy some pieces for a few design projects I’m working on. However, when I walked up they were closed! There was a note on the door that said they were temporarily closed due to a fire in the auto shop behind them. While I was bummed for the auto shop, I couldn’t find anything on when they would be reopening. I’m hoping it’s soon — I’m really looking forward to checking this place out.

After spending a few months on ebay looking for the perfect antique mantel for our new home, I finally made it in to Architectural Salvage. They had about 10 mantels when I was there. There were two I liked. I continued searching online for both new and vintage mantels, but kept thinking about the ones I saw at AS. I chose one that was just over $ 500, about the mid-​line price there and online, for the quality and size that I purchased. It’s simply stunning and a perfect fit in my home. They negotiated the price a bit and helped me get it into a truck. A few years ago I bought stunning cabinet door handles that made my kitchen pop. Overall, this store is a little too much fun for people who love to decorate with unique items.

In desperate search for a vintage window to refinish and use for my house I turned to Unilocal and realized this was the place to go. I was NOT disappointed! Antique stores try to sell old windows for upwards of 80 $ but they were here for as cheap as 20 $. Not to mention the unique door knobs, old wooden doors and plenty other vintage treasures. This place is most definitely a hidden gem in San Diego.

Fabulous stock! Very fun exploring! Intermittently helpful vs condescending
storekeepers so can’t give it 5 stars but, as another reviewer said, «go with thick skin» instead of a wide open sharing demeanor and you’ll enjoy your hunt for treasure!

very cool place, unfortunately a lot seems to be reproduction but there are some older pieces. still a neat place to check out

Really cool design store in Little Italy. Every time I wonder into Architectural Salvage I wish we owned our own place so we could take home some of these amazing treasures.
The store has an incredibly whimsical staircase and really interesting pieces, if you are looking for cool tiles, vintage signage, salvaged home accessories and more — this is your place!

I make a point to stop off here whenever I have a chance, They always have new arrivals, so it makes it a bit of an addiction to make sure I don’t miss out on any gems. Really no other place like it I’ve found in San Diego. Nice folks as well.

This is place is awesome if you want to find original pieces, anything from doors, shutters, house numbers, door knobs, light fixtures, the list goes on and on. We have found several things to pick up — really enjoy checking out all there is here!

This place is a Pinterest board come to life!
I was on my way to the farmers market when we drove past this place with an old fashioned bathtub, doors, window panes and all kinds of groovy goodness displayed out front. I literally screamed «stopppppp the car!»
Yeah, I contemplated buying the bathtub just to put champagne in it like they do at Bailiwick. What else are old bathtubs for, seriously?
There’s soooo much good stuff in here… Old letterboxes, antique to modern door knobs & door knockers, vintage signs, skeleton keys galore, iron swag, stained glass and just sooooo much other fun salvage and vintage «stuff».
I dig that they didn’t mind us walking through, taking pix and just browsing… no pushy sales people, no «hands off the merchandise» signs. I really got the feeling that they don’t mind lookie-loo’s like me… they know you’ll be back!
It’s not cheap here. Some things are really reasonable, some are really, REALLY out of my price range… but it’s good quality salvage, not bargain basement stuff. I’m talking doors so thick of real wood that they’d withstand tornadoes…

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. I’m shopping here so you can pretty much guess which (wo)man I am. i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this store!
old doors of various sizes, design and shapes
brass knobs and plates
glass knobs
chandeliers — wrought and glass
printer’s boxes
old mailboxes
stained glass windows
white double paned windows
window shutters
light covers
skeleton keys
bench frames
assortment of letters — sizes and shapes
church pews
ceiling tins — assorted designs and shapes
assorted and varied spindle legs
headboards
pie safes
armoires
row boat
telephones
stoplights
street signs
I could go on listing inventory for ASSD but that would mean a sequel — you get the picture! Who would’ve thought that all the old things would be so relevant today? Think RUSTIC chic, FARMHOUSE or INDUSTRIAL chic. At an age of reuse and re-​cycle this is the way to go. I love old «things» that have a history to it. I tend to frequent places that recycle goods from «tear downs.» This is the place to go to get your fix for all things old.
I obviously don’t live in San Diego and my shopping desires far outweigh the reality that I can only check in two baggages weighing 50 lbs each (sigh!!). Inquiring if they ship only garnered me a laugh from the guy at the front. But he did mention that people will often get a shipping container and load it up with all their shopping goodies. Good to know!
Prices are a bit too high for some things that are that old but I guess that’s what history costs nowadays. I’m not sure if they will give you a price for bundling items like they do in the show American Pickers.

Have to repeat the sentiments about the guy working here. Very condescending and insulting. Solano Beach’s shops have a much better selection.
Had some nice stuff but come with thick-​skin and be prepared to give him shit right back.

Popped in here last week to check out some odds and ends for the new place and was totally impressed by their selection. Vents, grates, knobs and bobbles galore, they’ve pretty much got everything you need for a vintage restoration.
Unfortunately, being where they are I felt that things were a little overpriced. If you’re looking for a deal, this probably isn’t the place for you. BUT if you’re looking for somewhere that has curated pieces, ready for the get-​go you’ll probably find something you like for a meh-​meh reasonable cost.
PS don’t forget to go upstairs, they’ve got some definite treasures hiding up there.

If you want the perfect spot to watch airplanes going to land in the San Diego airport, the best place to take pics and feel the thrill is at the door of the Architectural Salvage store.
This is an amazing house with a great architectural design itself, selling the coolest vintage fixtures you might need. I don’t need/​have space for anything they sell, but just like to go and browse and have no one on top of me asking if I need anything. Because most probably the answers is: yes, I think I need everything but can you provide me with a nice mansion so I can put all the good stuff you guys have?
I like the mosaics and old tiles, but mostly you will find any hardware piece you need. The view from that tinted glass facing south is amazing. This place has a cool vibe and prices do not seem to be excessive.

I would have give them 5 stars for the unique factor, but the dark haired guy behind the counter was sort of a dick!
I am a serious event designer and came there looking for Large prop items for my studio.
I was fascinated by a beautiful metal flower lamp hanging above the sales desk, and politely waited for him to be finished with a customer whom he seemed to know.
I was curious if the item was for sale, But the snarky answer I got, really hit me the wrong way. He said «if it was, SHE … pointing to the customer who was walking out. Would have bought it». Well good for her, I didnt recognize her as any special designer. And I am not a slouch in my business, LOL
I truly intended to buy a large stained glass door set I saw for $ 500., but frankly it made the excitement of the find and purchase… sour. I walked out.
I was so tempted to walk down the street and pull a Pretty Woman moment, Purchase something awesome and come back in and say «Big Mistake, HUGE! «LOL
Just remember that every person who crosses your doorstep regardless of what age or size or height or color, may be a potential large sale.
That said… if you like little quirky hardware and skeleton keys, hard to find glass shades for your 20’s cottage or a crystal doorknob and dust. It may be the place.

We have a historical home and we are still doing some few touch ups here and there. If you want something authentic or original for your remodeling or replacement, you might stumble something here. They have a huge selections from screws to doorknobs, from period tiles, doors, windows abs etc. There is something magical about this place. Each unique piece has its story to tell and the owners are very accommodating, knowledgeable and friendly to their customers.
Check out this place and get yourself ready to be transported to bygone era.